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Thousands take part in Big Lunches across Cornwall

Thousands of people across Cornwall sat down with their neighbours for the sixth annual Big Lunch on Sunday, joining an estimated four million people across the UK.

The Big Lunch, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and led by the Eden Project, encourages people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year, for a few hours of community, friendship and fun.

Big Lunches taking place in Cornwall included a party at Bude Sea Pool, a lunch with fancy dress and talent competitions in Truro, a picnic at Perranwell football club and a lunch for the whole village held in Tregony Congregational Church.

Jo Williams, who helped organise a Big Lunch in Truro along with her mother Avril Blake, said: “It’s been lovely for neighbours to get out and talk to each other, because we don’t always have the opportunity to do it that often.

“We’ve had a brilliant time and there has been a brilliant spirit of community. There has been a great mix of people and ages from 6 months old to 86 years old.”

Sir Tim Smit said: “Year after year, I never fail to be impressed by the sheer number of people who get involved and take the time to hold a Big Lunch in their community. The Big Lunch is always a great success and the perfect excuse for people to get together. While on the surface, it’s a day of laughter, friendship and fun, if you look deeper than that, these get-togethers are having an enormously positive impact on communities. Big things come from Big Lunches and what they each have in common is they all start in the same way – with small talk.

“After six years, it’s amazing to see so many people taking our simple idea and really making it work wonders for their communities. We’ve heard so many inspiring stories already and know they’ll be plenty more to come. Roll on The Big Lunch 2015…”

People can still take part in the celebrations and can organise a Big Lunch at a date that suits the community. Free packs including posters, invitations, an inspiration booklet and other resources to help organise a Big Lunch are available from www.thebiglunch.com until the end of June 2014.